Will Aid’s Make a Will Month returns this November

Written on 19 October 2015

If you’ve been putting off writing a will, you’re not alone. More than half of UK adults (53%) don’t have a will, according to the fundraising organisation Will Aid. And those of us that do, often forget to update it as our circumstances change. Almost six in 10 people with a will have not reviewed it for more than three years, says Will Aid.

Make a Will Month

Will Aid’s Make a Will Month takes place this November. Participating solicitors agree to write basic wills without charging their normal fee. Instead they ask you to make a suggested donation to Will Aid of £95 for a single will or £150 for mirror wills.

Since it started in 1988 the campaign has raised over £17 million with the money being shared between nine charities helping the young, elderly and communities in the UK and overseas.

“Will Aid is a fantastic opportunity to get an affordable will with one of our friendly and approachable solicitors. They are generously giving their time without any payment to help people look after their loved ones, and, at the same time, to raise funds for very worthwhile causes,” says Peter de Vena Franks, Will Aid campaign director.

How to make your Will Aid appointment

You can search for solicitors in your area offering Will Aid appointments on the Will Aid website or by calling 0300 0309 558. You then contact the firm directly to make an appointment.

Will Aid recommends not leaving it to the last minute as appointments tend to get booked up quickly.

Why make a will?

Writing a will is really important because it means you’re in control of who gets your money and possessions when you die. Not only that but you can use a will to:

appoint guardians for your children

choose executors of your will (the people who make sure your wishes are carried out)

leave instructions for your funeral

help limit the amount of inheritance tax paid

If you don’t have a will, everything you own is distributed according to a set of rules (known as intestacy rules). That can cause lots of difficulties for your family including stress, uncertainty and financial hardship.

Other things to think about when you make a will

While you’re making a will, it’s a good opportunity to make sure all your affairs are in order. For example, you might also want to think about whether you need life insurance (insurance that pays out a lump sum or regular income to your family if you die) or a Lasting Power of Attorney (a document which sets out who you would want to make decisions for you in the future if you can’t manage your own affairs).